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Travel Resources Beyond the State Department: The British Foreign Office and Local Newspapers

Uncategorized — on March 26, 2009 12:41 pm

You may be aware that the US State Department issues travel warnings and alerts for countries that experience civil unrest, political instability, or high crime rates. But here’s why our government’s warning shouldn’t be your ONLY resource.

Twenty years ago it was the terrible tragedy in Scotland, PanAm 103.

After that the State Department implemented the “no double standard” policy that means that any information about risky destinations that’s shared with government employees also has to be shared with private American citizens.

The trick is to cross-reference any country-specific warnings.

For example, what does the British Foreign office say to its own citizens? You can check that out at www.fco.gov.uk.

Another great resource is the local newspaper in the community to find out what’s making headlines in your destination.

You can find English-language newspapers in nearly every country at TheBigProject.co.uk.

The bottom line: forewarned is forearmed, especially if you don’t depend only on your own government.

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  • Jerry Schlotter

    I was there in Pattaya, Thailand from March 26 to April 22. I stayed half a block from the road that leads to the ASEAN resort that had blocks and roadblocks with increased soldiers, police, naval forces and believe it or not, local expats turned police officers. It was a mess and the Thais were unusually rude and cheating the visitor in various ways, especially at the hotels where you had to fight to get your deposits back. I would not suggest going to Thailand for months. There is supposed to be a spectacular protest and takeover of government buildings within days and this time the soldiers and police will use deadly force. Prices in Thailand have also soared and robberies of tourists are very common. I watched the helicopters airlift the ASEAN members out of Pattaya when the protesters took over the Royal Cliff Resort.